The results only tell half the story. From spine-tingling hakas to mountain backdrops that belonged on postcards, Taupo delivered a proper showcase of everything that makes triathlon special.
Let's take a visual journey through what might just be the most picturesque world champs we've seen in years...
Talk about déjà vu. Taylor Knibb storms down the finish chute to claim her third straight 70.3 world title, joining the legendary Daniela Ryf as the only athletes to pull off the triple. The clock stopped at 3:57:34 but the history books? They're still being written.Lake Taupo put on a proper show for the swim start, with Australasia's largest freshwater lake laying out the welcome mat for the world's best. From the Yacht Club to Kaimanawa Reserve, this 1.9km course set the stage for what was about to unfold.Before the first athlete hit the water, local iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa delivered a spine-tingling cultural welcome. The wahine warriors paddled in on their waka before throwing down a challenge that set the tone for the day.The bike course served up everything New Zealand is famous for - pristine rivers at Aratiatia Rapids, sweeping views across State Highway 5, and enough technical segments to keep everyone honest. Beauty and the beast, rolled into 90km.Two laps of pure Taupo magic. With Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngāuruhoe playing backdrop, the run course wasn't just about the legs - it was about soaking in one of triathlon's most stunning stages. The crowds? They were about five deep and twice as loud.When Taylor Knibb decides to send it, mate, she really sends it. Her 2:10:09 bike split wasn't just the day's fastest - it was a masterclass in controlled aggression. This shot on Highway 5? That's what domination looks like.Sometimes second tastes sweeter than first. Just ask Kat Matthews, whose runner-up finish was enough to crown her the inaugural Ironman Pro Series champ. That's $200,000 worth of consolation prize right there.
Day Two: The Boys Bring The Heat
From the moment the local iwi threw down their challenge at dawn, you could feel this was going to be something special. Turns out that feeling was bang on - we got ourselves a new world record, a hometown hero's valiant charge and enough plot twists to keep Netflix interested.
While the pro women had given us a masterclass in precision the day before, the men's race? Pure drama. Every corner of Taupo's pristine backdrop had a story to tell, from those choppy morning waters to the final strides down Tongariro Street.
Here's how it all unfolded through the lens...
They say you never forget your first. Jelle Geens won't be forgetting this one anytime soon - his 3:32:09 didn't just earn him Belgium's first 70.3 world title, it knocked 13 seconds off the championship record. Day two served up some spice early, with that south-westerly adding just enough chop to make things interesting. Didn't stop 14 blokes coming out of the water within 30 seconds of each other. When nearly 3,200 age groupers followed them in, you knew we were in for a show.If you've never seen Ngāti Tūwharetoa tāne throw down a proper challenge, you haven't lived. The Tūhingamata kapa haka group didn't just set the tone - they basically dared everyone to dig deeper than they thought possible.Rolling farmland, pristine rivers, proper Kiwi bush - this 90km had more kodak moments than your average Instagram feed. Though I reckon the pros were too busy measuring their watts to notice.Heard Taupo gets behind their own? Bit of an understatement. With hometown boys Hayden Wilde and Kyle Smith mixing it up front all day, the crowds were about five deep and twice as loud. Even gave champion Geens a hero's welcome at the finish.Here's a bloke who just redefined "consistent season." Gregory Barnaby's ninth place might not sound flash but it locked up the inaugural Pro Series title and a lazy $200k bonus. Not a bad way to help pay for that upcoming wedding?Some things never change. Just like in Paris, Hayden Wilde and Léo Bergère found themselves sharing podium real estate. Different distance, same result - proving these short-course speedsters can hang with anyone over the longer stuff.
